A NASI interactive Meet on “Nano: The Technology of Future (igniting young minds)” was organized by Lucknow Chapter of the National Academy of Sciences, India and ICONTOX at Biotech Park, Lucknow on February 8th, 2008. Around 80 students from different schools of Lucknow participated in the event.

Dr. S.P. Singh, Scientist, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi set the tone by giving an overview “A glimpse into the current excitement at the bottom” of nanotechnology and its future. This was followed by an active 2½ hour interactive session where the students asked questions on various aspects of nanotechnology including its safety. The intuitiveness expressed by the children and nature of their questions reflected the depth of their understanding and interest in the subject. A galaxy of foreign experts such as Prof. Peter York (UK), Dr. Paul Thorning (UK), Prof. James M. Tiedje (USA), Prof. Erdogan Gulari (USA), Prof. Syed A. Hashsham (USA), Dr. Saber Hussain (USA), Prof. Syed Ali (USA), Dr. John Fortner (USA), Prof. Pushpa Tandon (USA), Prof. Harold Krug (Switzerland), Prof. Nelson Duran (Brazil) and Indian experts such as Dr. V.P. Kamboj, Former Director, Central Drug Research Institute; Prof. B.N. Dhawan, Former Director, Central Drug Research Institute; Dr. P.K. Seth, Chief Executive Officer, Biotech Park, Lucknow; Prof. A.K. Mahapatra, Director, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences; Dr. Alok Dhawan, Scientist, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research & Organizing Secretary, ICONTOX interacted with the students.

Dr. V.P. Kamboj delivering the Presidential Remarks said there is a great excitement in science world over and application of nanotechnology is expanding in all fields of life. He asked the students to be a part of this excitement by taking keen interest and taking science as profession. Dr. M.M. Singh, Secretary, NASI, Lucknow Chapter, thanked the students and teachers of the schools for their active participation. To encourage the students and teachers, certificate of participation were distributed by the eminent scientists from India and abroad. After the session, several students discussed the career opportunities as well as opportunities for higher studies with scientists from India and abroad.